Clothes line and suspension device



(No Model.)

A. A. COX. I CLOTHES LINE AND SUSPENSION DEVICE; N0. 463,44. Patented Nov. 17, 189.1.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- ALISA ANN COX, OF MOUNT OLIVE, ILLINOIS.

CLOTHES LINE AND SUSPENSION DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 463,441, dated November 17, 1891.

Application filed April 25, 1891.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALISA ANN COX, of Mount Olive, in the county of Macoupin and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clothes Line and -Suspension Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

Myinvention relates to an improved clothes line and suspension device.

The object of myinvention is to produce an improved clothes line and suspension device which is not only adapted for use in the laun dry, but is also adapted for supporting articles of various kinds in stores, and upon which line a great quantity of clothes can be hung in such a manner as to dry very rapidly.

Figure l. is a perspective view of a clothes line and suspension device which embodies my invention. Fig. 2 is an end View of the same, showing the bent wires closed toward each other. Fig. 3 is a perspective showing a slight modification, consisting in a different arrangement. of the catches, so that the operating connections can be employed.

A represents the main suspension wire or rod, of any desired thickness or length and which may be made either in one continuous pieceor made in sections, so that it can be taken apart or shortened or lengthened, according to the place in which it is to be used. As here shown, the sections are suitably secured together. Either a wire made of galvanized iron, brass, copper, or other suitable material may be used, or a rod which is too rigid to be readily bent, and the ends of this rod or wire will be fastened in the posts or other supports to which they are attached by means of set-screws or other devices, so as to prevent the rod or wire from having a turning movement. Secured to this main rod or wire at suitable distances apart are a number of perforated disks B, with which the fastening devices upon the bent wires engage. Loosely attached to the main rod or wire, preferably by having their ends loosely wrapped around the rod or wire, are the bent wires 0, which may either be given the shape here Serial No. 390,394. ,(No model.)

7 shown or any other that may be preferred.

The ends of these bent wires may be wrapped or otherwise loosely attached to the main wire or rod. As here shown, these .bent wires or rods have rings or loops D at their corners, and in which loops laces, ribbons, or any other similar small articles maybe fastened. If the line is used for laundry purposes, laces, handkerchiefs, or other small articles may be fastened in these rings; but if used in a store small articles of any kind will be suspended therefrom. These bent wires are to be made of any suitable material, so that it has the necessary amount of strength to prevent sagging down at its center when articles are attached ,thereto. Rigidly secured in any suitable manner to one or both ends of the bent wires are spring-actuated catches G, which engage-with the perforated disks secured to the main wire or rod, and which catches hold the bent wires in any position in which they may be adjusted. As here shown, the bent wires are used in pairs and each one is adjustable independently of the other, so that one may be raised to any desired height and the other lowered, according to the articles which are to be hung thereon. When these bent wires are not in use, and especially when used in a room or other place where the space is limited, both of these may be turned down or raised into a vertical position, where they will be entirely out of the way. If the two catches engage the inner sides of the disk, as shown in Fig. 3, the two spring-catches may be connected by means of a cord or wire, and from the center of this cord or wire will extend a second cord or wire, which will reach down near to the ground, so that a person of short stature can withdraw both of the springcatches from their disks at the same time, and thus allow the bent wire or rod to descend of its own weightwithin the reach of the operator.

If it is desired to use one or more of these sections in a room for the purpose of hanging clothes upon it. as upon a clothes-horse, the ends of the sections will be inserted in. suitable supports provided therefor and securely clamped or held, so that the main rod or wire cannot have a turning motion. Sheets or large articles of clothing can be hung upon On ironing days a section or two may be suspended in a room for hanging freshlyironed articles upon to dry, instead of using the ordinary clothes-racks. One or more sections may be suspended in any room for the purpose of supporting damp clothes and upon which sections articles of allkinds can be suspended either dry or damp.

A device of this kind which is elevated out of the way will be found especially usefulin small rooms where a clothes-horse or other similar device would be exceedingly inconvenient.

A line constructed as here shown can be made in small sections and used as atoy-line for boys and girls, to be used for the same purposes as by grown people.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- A clothes-line consisting of the main rod or wire, the bent wires having their ends loosely secured thereto, disks rigid on said main rod, and catches carried by each bent wire to engage said disks and to hold said bent wires in the desired position, substantially as set forth and shown.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALISA ANN COX.

Witnesses:

F. A. LEHMANN, BRooKET'r. 

